Former Ram tight end makes Colts

September 1, 2012

Dominique Jones looked at the website of the Indianapolis Colts Friday night.

He saw where two of five tight ends had been waived by the team, and Jones, the former Shepherd tight end, was not on that list.

He took nothing for chance, however.

Article Photos

Indianapolis tight end Dominique Jones breaks away from Cincinnati defensive back T.J. Heath on his way to a touchdown. Jones played his final season at Shepherd. (AP photo)

Maybe Jones was still in disbelief.

"I still haven't got the offical call yet," Jones said by telephone about 8:30 p.m. Friday. "I don't know if it's over yet. They have the 53-man roster (posted); I'm just waiting on a call for confirmation."

Final cuts for all NFL teams had to be made by 9 p.m. Friday, which was an agonizing day for Jones.

"It's been a long, long day," Jones said. "You never know what'll happen.

"I left everything on the field and put it in God's hands, and, hopefully, He came through for me."

Video of Jones grabbing a pass out to the right flat and rumbling down the sideline through several Bengal defenders made www.nfl.com.

"Everybody was posting that all over my Twitter and Facebook," Jones said, "so I saw it when I got back to the hotel last night."

Jones has played an assortment of H-back during the preseason.

"I've done that a little at Liberty and a little at Shepherd, too," Jones said. "It's a role the coaches have me play. Whatever they ask me to do, play fullback, split out, play tight end, whatever they ask, that's what I'm going to do."

Jones spent one season at Shepherd after transferring from Liberty.

He drew some interest from some NFL teams after finishing his career, but "the lockout happened the next day."

So Jones played some minor-league-type professional football and got his chance with the Colts.

"It's been a great experience," Jones said. "From where I came from, all the trials and what I've put in, it's been a great experience to play at a high level."

Jones hasn't forgotten Shepherd, however.

"Hey, make sure you put in there I wish my boys good luck (today at Shippensburg)," Jones said.